For our fourth Long Lunch at Arlington, we were delighted to welcome Anda Rowland and her guest Audie Charles.
Anda is the self-styled ‘Menswear Enthusiast’ at august Savile Row tailor Anderson & Sheppard, which she owns and has run for more than twenty years. In that time, she has moved the business to Burlington Street, launched the company’s first ready-to-wear range and opened a dedicated shop around the corner on Clifford Street – Anderson & Sheppard Haberdashery, which is run by Audie. Anda has increased the number of apprentices Anderson & Sheppard has taken on and has been actively involved in The Campaign For Wool, Pop Up Crisis and Women In Tailoring. @rowlandanda
WHAT ARE THE KEY ELEMENTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL LONG LUNCH?
We both agree that a good starting point is ’no technology on the table’. It is also important to make sure that your afternoon is clear of any meetings or appointments so that you can linger over coffee and puddings. Another essential thing to consider is the menu. A long lunch requires a lot of delicious choices so that you can add dishes to the conversation. Luckily there were over 20 things that Audie and I wanted to order from the Arlington menu.
WHAT DO YOU VALUE MOST IN A LUNCH COMPANION?
Sharing stories, ideas, food and laughter. Listening is as important as talking. We have a lot to talk about from family to shopkeeping.
WHAT DID YOU EAT/DRINK TODAY?
Audie – Eggs Benedict with allumette fries and a glass of rosé wine
Anda – Shepherd’s Pie and peas (and some of Audie’s allumette fries) and a spicy Virgin Mary
Shared – Tarte Tatin with Calvados ice cream
Coffee
Sparkling water
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE – RESTAURANT OR OTHER – YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?
Adrian Gill once told us, during a visit to the Anderson & Sheppard Haberdashery, that the first thing that he looked at when he entered a restaurant was the staff uniforms. If the team was wearing professional, well-fitting, clean and comfortable clothing, he felt that the restaurant owners had their priorities right.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
There are always new things to work on together, but most exciting at the moment is a short film with our friend Chris Floyd. It is a great opportunity to come up with jokes and old-school references – in a very professional way, of course.
